Inspire South Africa 2025

From April 1 - 10 and October 12 - 21, volunteers will work directly with vulnerable communities and children to facilitate educational programming, home or school rehabilitation, and packing and distributing packages. ​

Highlights

  • Highlights
  • Cohort 1 (April 1st - April 10th): Durban, South Africa
  • Cohort 2 (October 12th - October 21st): Capetown, South Africa
  • Fundraising Target → $3,500 CAD per volunteer
  • Registration Fee → $475 CAD non-refundable registration fee is required once accepted into the Inspire program

Apply today

Program Requirements

The Inspire Volunteer Abroad Program is looking for participants who have the following criteria:

  • Over 18 years old of age
  • Able to attend orientation sessions and necessary training
  • Sincere interest and passion for helping others
  • Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to work as part of a team
  • Intercultural awareness and excellent intercultural communication skills
  • Able to work with youth and children
  • Formal or non-formal education or training relevant to the program
  • Flexible and adaptable in new, potentially stressful environments

Background

Islamic Relief Canada has been working in South Africa since 2013 and has implemented projects that address healthcare, food insecurity, education, livelihoods, and supporting orphans. This volunteer abroad program focuses on providing psychosocial support to children through camp programming, educational activities, and community service.

Since 2019, Inspire has held 4 field studies in South Africa, running educational and psychosocial support programs with orphans. In our previous Inspire field studies in South Africa, the volunteers worked with children in an Islamic Relief Canada-funded school, organized active learning activities for vulnerable children, and organized events for the local community. They also participated in rehabilitating homes.

Check out a previous volunteer's experience! 


Main activities

Volunteers will work directly with vulnerable communities and children/youth. They will facilitate educational programming for orphans and vulnerable children with enriching activities and programs. This programming will focus on life skills and leadership, team building, outdoor education, and other psychosocial activities. 

Volunteers will also assist communities through various means, according to their needs, including home or school rehabilitation, building Wendy Houses, and packing and distributing hygiene/food/livelihood packages.

Furthermore, volunteers will have the chance to:

  1. Visit the Islamic Relief project sites, meet and engage with the rights-holders to learn more about the sponsorship programs, and gain insight into their life stories.
  2. Learn about South Africa's history and participate in educational organized sightseeing activities on Robben Island, Iziko Museums, and Table Mountain.

Benefits of field study

The Inspire program aims to provide volunteers with a unique and eye-opening experience, where they immerse themselves in a completely different context than they are normally accustomed to. This program encompasses the “give and take” principle; it is an opportunity to give back to vulnerable communities overseas whilst learning and growing skills in an enriching environment. 

After completing the program, letters of reference will be given out to participants upon request. Participants will also be encouraged to continue volunteering with Islamic Relief Canada following the trip to continue their humanitarian efforts.


Fundraising Process

Each participant is required to raise a minimum of CAD $4,000, which directly supports Islamic Relief Canada’s community development projects in South Africa, as well as Islamic Relief's global emergency initiatives wherever the need is greatest. Your contributions will directly empower vulnerable communities, particularly children and youth, through educational programs, psychosocial support activities, community service projects such as school and home rehabilitation, and the distribution of food and hygiene kits. These initiatives address socio-economic challenges, build resilience, and promote long-term self-reliance. Your support will make a lasting impact on the lives of those in need, where it is needed most.

Your donation helps our rightsholders in various way; $1080 is used to sponsor an orphan for a year, whilst the rest of the money is used towards deliverables in the country. Additional money may be used in other high-need areas in other countries.

Volunteers will be supported with their fundraising through:

  • Personalized fundraising coaching
  • Tips for community engagement
  • Digital tools and templates for outreach

Please note, none of the donations raised will be used for the volunteer’s personal travel or expenses.

Accommodations & Costs

Islamic Relief Canada will cover:

  • Accommodation during the trip
  • Ground transportation within South Africa
  • Group meals and organized group activities

Volunteers are responsible for:

  • Flights to and from South Africa
  • Mandatory health and travel insurance
  • Personal expenses not related to group logistics

Pre-Trip Training

 All accepted participants must complete mandatory pre-trip training, which includes:

(The pre-trip training sessions include one pre-departure session).

  • Orientation to Islamic Relief Canada’s values and humanitarian work
  • Fundraising strategy and planning
  • Group bonding and spiritual preparation
  • Cultural etiquette and expectations in South Africa
  • Health, safety, and travel protocols

Training will consist of 2-3 sessions (approximately 2 hours each). Full attendance is required.

Reflections from our changemakers 

“It’s easier now to take a step back and appreciate the bigger picture in life. Spending time with the rights-holders helped me to realize that ultimately we are not in control of our life path, and whatever is meant for us will be ours.”

"Building relationships with fellow volunteers and Islamic Relief staff was one of my favourite aspects of the trip. The bonds we formed during these trips are unparalleled. Seeing the cultural diversity of all the people I met during the trip helped me to appreciate the beautiful diversity of our Ummah.”

“There was one day when we got a tour of BoKaap, a neighbourhood in Cape Town with a rich cultural and political history. The tour guide told us of his time fighting against apartheid, and he said there was a time when they received letters from a school in Canada. He said it had given them a much-needed boost in morale and that it had meant so much for them to know that people halfway across the world understood their struggle.